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Australian #Telehealth reforms during COVID-19 have enabled critical access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.
Action is needed to protect telehealth access and secure long term Medicare Benefits Schedule support.
#COVID19Aus #THREAD
Action is needed to protect telehealth access and secure long term Medicare Benefits Schedule support.
#COVID19Aus #THREAD
During COVID-19 temporary Medicare Benefits Schedule ( #MBS) item numbers have enabled clinicians to provide sexual and reproductive healthcare, including contraceptive care and medical abortion via telehealth.
https://resources.mariestopes.org.au/SRHRinAustralia.pdf
https://resources.mariestopes.org.au/SRHRinAustralia.pdf
Many people who choose medical abortion cannot access it via their GP, so instead they use telehealth providers. For example, teleabortion at @mariestopesaus. https://www.mariestopes.org.au/abortion/home-abortion/
Temporary MBS item numbers may now be restricted to General Practitioners only.
This change would impact the viability of medical abortion via telehealth, and subsequently abortion access, across metro, rural, regional and remote Australia. https://au.news.yahoo.com/abortion-providers-fear-telehealth-changes-140511325--spt.html
This change would impact the viability of medical abortion via telehealth, and subsequently abortion access, across metro, rural, regional and remote Australia. https://au.news.yahoo.com/abortion-providers-fear-telehealth-changes-140511325--spt.html
Between 1 out of 3 and 1 out of 4 pregnancies in Australia are unplanned. In Australia pregnancy options are: abortion, adoption, care, kinship care and parenting.
Temporary MBS numbers available during COVID-19 have increased access to all-options unplanned pregnancy care.
Temporary MBS numbers available during COVID-19 have increased access to all-options unplanned pregnancy care.
In Australia, in the ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, TAS, VIC and WA the following abortion options are available*:
(a) surgical abortion via a clinic,
(b) medical abortion via a clinic, and
(c) medical abortion via telehealth.
(a) surgical abortion via a clinic,
(b) medical abortion via a clinic, and
(c) medical abortion via telehealth.
In South Australia, less abortion options are available*:
(a) surgical abortion via a clinic, and
(b) medical abortion via a clinic.
In SA it is not yet legal for a patient to self-administer their own abortion medication, so medical abortion via telehealth is not available
(a) surgical abortion via a clinic, and
(b) medical abortion via a clinic.
In SA it is not yet legal for a patient to self-administer their own abortion medication, so medical abortion via telehealth is not available
*Gestational limits apply and differ by medical/surgical abortion, healthcare setting, and by State/Territory jurisdictional legislation and policy. Also, some people do not have safe access to a phone and/or cannot get to a clinic. It's complex. https://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/factsandfigures/australianabortionlawandpractice
Why is abortion so inaccessible? Many reasons. There also aren't that many clinics or clinicians across the country. Infection control measures and movement restrictions during COVID-19 have emphasised existing barriers. https://resources.mariestopes.org.au/SRHRinAustralia.pdf
Why is access to choice of medical abortion via telehealth so important? It enables a person to have greater control over their own healthcare, supported 24-7 by a team of health professionals.
It's one step towards #SelfAdministeredCare. It enables #ReproductiveAutonomy.
It's one step towards #SelfAdministeredCare. It enables #ReproductiveAutonomy.
Why is academic research about medical abortion via telehealth so important? It demonstrates how medical abortion via telehealth can be a safe and accessible abortion option. https://www.mariestopes.org.au/your-choices/telehealth-abortion-accessible/
Evidence informed telehealth reforms would enable ongoing access to medical abortion via telehealth. They would also increase long term rural, regional and remote healthcare equity. https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/6824228/extension-of-rebate-scheme-could-help-wagga-women-access-abortion/?cs=9402
Does telehealth have limitations? Yes. All healthcare communication methods have limitations.
Reproductive autonomy is about enabling choice. Telehealth simply provides an additional and important access mechanism for existing healthcare services.
Reproductive autonomy is about enabling choice. Telehealth simply provides an additional and important access mechanism for existing healthcare services.
Will South Australia decriminalise abortion soon? Let's hope so, because then people in South Australia will have access to medical abortion via telehealth. You can connect with @SA_AAC for further information. https://saabortionactioncoalition.com/
What about people who do not like medical abortion via telehealth? That's OK. They don't have to have one.
What if someone else in their life wants to access medical abortion via telehealth? That's OK. That's the other person's choice.
What if someone else in their life wants to access medical abortion via telehealth? That's OK. That's the other person's choice.
Has someone asked you to support them to access abortion, via a clinic or telehealth? Fantastic! There's loads of great information online for support people, for example: https://www.mariestopes.org.au/support-services/providing-emotional-support/
Could you, or someone you know be at risk of reproductive coercion? For example, being pressured towards a pregnancy outcome that you wouldn't choose? Contact @1800RESPECT online or via phone for support, information or advice. https://www.1800respect.org.au
@mariestopesaus @AWAVA_women @eraaustralia @SPHERE_CRE @ReproChoiceAu @SA_AAC @OurBodiesChoice @PHAA_Women @reproaction
Today is a great day to join national advocacy movements to protect Medicare support for medical abortion via telehealth. You can sign the @SPHERE_CRE, @ChangeAus petition here: https://www.change.org/p/australian-government-continue-medicare-funded-telehealth-to-ensure-access-to-early-medical-abortion
